In response to last month’s national tragedy, the John F. Kennedy Library has amended its scheduled series of forums over the next month to include programs relevant to our nation’s current events. These programs will foster discussion and debate concerning our country’s response to terrorism.

Coinciding with a current exhibition at the Library, Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years, Geraldine Ferraro, the first woman Vice Presidential nominee, Mae Jemison, the first African American woman in space, and Wilma Mankiller, the first female Chief of the Cherokee Nation, will speak at “Women Trailblazers” on October 26 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. This forum, moderated by Carole Simpson of ABC News will focus on the speakers’ experiences as the first women in their fields, as well as what they see as frontiers still to be conquered.

On October 28 from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m., “Redistricting in Massachusetts: A Community Discussion” will feature State Representative Jarrett Barrios, State Senator Dianne Wilkerson, Professor Paul Watanabe from UMass Boston, and other Boston-area leaders in a discussion about the redrawing of the Massachusetts Congressional map, action resulting from 2000 census data. This discussion will also address political opportunities for ethnic minorities to voice their thoughts.

Joseph Nye, dean of the Kennedy School of Government and former U.S. assistant secretary of defense for International Security Affairs will lead “Presidential Decision-making: The U.S. Response to Terrorism” on October 29 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. This panel, which includes Tom Oliphant, Boston Globe columnist, will focus on President George W. Bush’s choices in handling September’s national tragedy and America’s ensuing response.

Recounting his and his family’s personal experience in World War II Japanese internment camps, on November 4 from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m., Congressman Robert T. Matsui will host “The Wrong Response: Recalling the U.S. Internment of the Japanese.” He will relate this to the danger of backlash against Arab Americans since the September attacks on America.

“On the Roots of Terror” on November 5 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., will be hosted by Moorhead Kennedy, who was taken hostage in 1979 while serving as the acting economic counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. During this forum, he will continue his mission to educate others about terrorism and how to respond to its underlying causes.

Four-time presidential advisor and author of Eyewitness to Power: The Essence of Leadership, David Gergen, will discuss military and leadership challenges facing President Bush and his administration as well as the foreign policy strategies of the four presidents he has worked with at “Presidents and Foreign Policy Crises.” This event will be held on November 7 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.

As Americans observe Veteran’s Day, November 11, with the current heightened emphasis on the military on November 11, Gail Buckley, author of American Patriots: The Story of Blacks in the Military from the Revolution to Desert Storm, will discuss “Race in the Military” from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. The focus of this discussion will be how the treatment and position of African American military personnel has evolved.

Examining the development of the system of international justice, Justice Richard Goldstone, former chief prosecutor for the International Tribunals for Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia, will host “Bringing International Criminals to Justice” on November 12 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. This discussion will explore how this system works to prosecute criminals from heads of governments, such as Slobodan Milosevic, to international terrorists such as those who launched the September attacks on America.

On November 14 from 5:40 to 7:00 p.m., Nina Totenberg, NPR chief legal correspondent will direct a panel “Defending an Open Society.” This assembly, to include John Shattuck, former assistant secretary of state for Human Rights and ACLU Washington director, will examine how our nation can protect both national security and civil liberties as we respond to terrorism on our own soil.

All of the Kennedy Library Forums are free and open to the public. However, it is recommended that those who wish to attend call (617)929-4571 to reserve a seat. Since speakers’ schedules can change in this time of uncertain world events, it is advisable that forum attendees call (617)929-1247 to confirm that forums will be held.